USS Slater Ship Museum

USS Slater

During WW II, 563 destroyer escorts protected Atlantic convoys and defended naval task forces in the Pacific. In 1944-45 the USS Slater DE-766 was assigned to Altantic convoy duty. After the Allied victory in Europe, the Slater went to the Pacific. The legacy of destroyer escorts lives on through the USS Slater Museum in Albany, NY. The Slatership rests on the Hudson River as a historical museum open to to the public.

Marilyn Barton and Tim Rizutto

With over 30 years in historic ship restoration, Tim Rizutto, Executive Director, led the 15 year project of making the Slaterthe best and most authentically restored ship in the country. Tim maintains a shipboard atmosphere that is safe, productive and fun for everyone who volunteers or visits.

While I cannot personally thank my father, he died in 1996, nor visit the Campbell because it was sold for scrap in 1973, I can be thankful that a representative of the type of ship my father served aboard still exists.

Slater mast and signal flagsSignal flagsAldis signal lampSpotlightAlan Fox, Volunteer, Tour GuideMarilyn at helm on the bridgeBob Moritz at the helm with AlanAlan in the CIC (Combat Information Center)Maneuvering the plotting board in the CICSurface plotting tableNavigation stationRadio roomRadar station in CICYeoman’s officeNews from the outside world — officers’ ward roomTypical officers’ quartersExecutive officer’s quartersOfficers’ showerAlan with breech of the 3-inch gunGene with forward 3-inch batteryAlan with hedgehogs (ASW) – anti-submarine warfareMarilyn sighting on the 40 mm BoforsMarilyn on the Asmuth station of the Bofors40 mm rounds storageJan Moritz on elevation station of the 40 mm BoforsLesson in how to operate the gunsAft 3-inch gun mount looking forwardTransfer chair to send a crewman to another shipDepth chargesDepth charges in rackBob, Alan, Jan, and Marilyn at stern of Ship looking forward between the roll-off depth charge racksSlater’s galleyGalley

Ship’s ovensAutoclave that doubled as a lobster steamerOfficers’ ward room — Alan holding an article about a destroyer escort built in 23- 1/2 daysPlace settings in officers’ ward roomFirst aid and medical supplies stored in the officers’ ward roomEnlisted sleeping and living quartersEnlisted sleeping quartersMarilyn in enlisted quartersHammock in enlisted quartersEnlisted quartersCups and trays in enlisted quartersBasic medical supplies used by the ship’s pharmacy mateShip’s sick back with Stokes stretcher for transporting sick or injuredRed seat designed to be used for infected crewTim with main propulsion control